Happy Chinese New Year!

The Chinese New Year is widely celebrated in Hawaii - 2012 is the Year of the Dragon.  I had hoped to make it to Chinatown to watch the lion-dancers, but was not able to.  Maybe next year...

Just To Be Fair..

I had to post a pic of my little boy today, since I showed off my daughter yesterday.  This was him opening his first gift, a size 1 soccer ball - he was SO happy with it that as far as he was concerned the gift-opening portion of Christmas was over!  He walked over and got his shoes and kept saying "Outside, outside!".  Don't worry, his sister made sure the rest of his presents were opened :)

Merry Christmas To All, and To All a Good Night

It has been a good weekend:  Christmas Eve hula performance by my daughter's halau, both kids getting hopped up on sugar cookies and dancing to Christmas music, cheese fondue with my Santa after the stockings were stuffed, pre-dawn awakening for presents, church service this morning to celebrate Christ's birth, delicious dinner with friends, and an evening visit with more friends.  I am worn out, but in a good way.  Merry Christmas everyone!

Sand-ta

This is a giant sand sculpture at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.  Santa and his elves, ready to hit the water with floats, sunglasses, and snowflake-motif surfboards :)

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

at my house!  Tree is up and ornaments are hung thanks to my little elf helper (aka my daughter Lily Grace).  The Nativity has taken its place of honor on the dining room buffet - my mom gave it to me 15 years ago and I still love it.  Opening the box and carefully unwrapping each piece is the highlight of decorating for me. 

THIS Year

This is the picture of pure joy on a child's face (my child's face) when her daddy returned home from deployment, having spent many important days away from us.  I am thankful that THIS year all four of us get to wake up under the same roof in the same safe country, sit down at the table together, and eat a meal that many in the world could only dream of.  We are blessed beyond comprehension.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!